The Maldives just raised the bar on all of these countries’ diplomatic efforts to oppose Israel. It has lodged an advance case against the whole country at the United Nations’ International Court of Justice. Global outcry is growing over what some are calling the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Amnesty International USA brought attention to these failings in a report last December and called for this action. Now, under President Mohamed Muizzu, the Maldives is undertaking a robust political pivot. He has demanded an end to all Israeli passport holders.
In June 2024, President Muizzu announced his intention to prohibit entry for Israeli tourists, stating that the ban serves as a response to what he described as “continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people.”
The Maldives’ parliament passed the amendment to the country’s immigration law on Tuesday, which President Muizzu then ratified. Currently, H.R. This amendment adds to the Immigration Act’s existing provisions. It explicitly bans visitors carrying Israeli passports from visiting the country.
“The ratification reflects the government’s firm stance in response to the continuing atrocities and ongoing acts of genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people,” – Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu
Tourism is a major part of the Maldivian economy, making up about 21% of the country’s GDP. In 2024, the country brought in just over $5.6 billion in tourism-related revenue. This year, it’s expected to bring in over $5 billion. The Maldives is famous for its stunning white sandy beaches and high-end resorts that attract thousands of travelers from around the globe every year.
In light of the new law, the Israeli foreign ministry has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to the Maldives. Neither the ministry nor Israel’s consular office in Colombo have responded to repeated requests for comment on this alarming development.
As the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate, countries are pressuring one another to reconsider their diplomatic relations with Israel. Perhaps most strikingly, the Maldives has been the boldest country on the matter. The legal process at the International Court of Justice continues. The international community will closely monitor how this plays out on the ground.
